SYNOPSIS:
Freckles has always been a good little bunny that was taught to be nice and caring towards others. The opportunity to be popular arises and Freckles soon finds herself choosing popularity over friends. Two classes get to go on a field trip to the local bakery where Boots' brother Sherlock works. Freckles has been told that Boots' family is not cool and weird. Freckles and her new friends are soon laughing at the bakery owner and Boots' family, costing Freckles her old friends. Join Freckles as she learns that being different is alright and that being popular doesn't mean you have to be mean, in another funny adventure. Guest appearances by Sherlock, a popular real animal and Purrsia, a character that will have your child looking to see what is stuck in her fur, in every illustration she is in. MORALS/LESSONS LEARNED: * Peer pressure. * Do what is right and not what others tell you. * Being popular is not always as good as it seems. * Treat others the way you want to be treated. * It is not nice to laugh or make fun of others' misfortunes. BOOK INFO: AUTHOR: Vickianne Caswell ILLUSTRATOR: Anastasia Drogaitseva EDITOR: Julie Faludi-Harpell PUBLISHER: 4 Paws Games and Publishing SOFTCOVER: 30 color illustrations. 8 x 10" size. Ages 6+. ISBN 10: ISBN 13: |
Reviews
In Freckles and the Cost of Popularity, author Vickianne Caswell explores the familiar topic of relationships. The main character has to choose between being popular and being loyal to her friends. She discovers that the price of popularity is not one she’s willing to pay because it includes losing herself. When Freckles finds herself constantly going against her own convictions just for the sake of fitting in with the popular crowd, she needs to make an important decision. Is she willing to reject and make fun of her true friends just to please a certain group of people? Freckles finally comes to terms with the fact that she would much rather be nice and keep her old friends than be popular and mean. Vickianne Caswell brings up a situation that the majority of children and teenagers have to face at some point in their lives. Although the main topic of the book isn’t bullying per se, there are some instances in which the popular group intimidates and discriminates against others whom they consider to be inferior to them.
The story is well written and appropriate for children as well as younger teens. The characters are believable and the situations are credible. The way in which the story flows is consistent with reality because the main character actually seems to lose focus of what’s truly important instead of immediately doing the right thing. The language in which the story is written is easy to understand without becoming excessively childish and immature. Adults, especially parents and teachers, can also benefit from reading this story because it lends itself as a great discussion starter. Children can be prompted to identify every time Freckles makes a wrong choice and give alternatives for dealing with each situation in a better way. Overall, Vickianne Caswell did a great job of dealing with a current issue.
- Reviewed by Dinorah Blackman for Readers' Favorite (4 stars)
Awards
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